1 Kingdoms 22 — Greek, Translation, Interlinear & Discourse

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

καὶ ἀπῆλθεν ἐκεῖθεν Δαυιδ καὶ διεσώθη καὶ ἔρχεται εἰς τὸ σπήλαιον τὸ Οδολλαμ καὶ ἀκούουσιν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ὁ οἶκος τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ καὶ καταβαίνουσιν πρὸς αὐτὸν ἐκεῖ

And David went away from there and escaped, and he comes to the cave of Adullam; and his brothers and his father's house heard, and they go down to him there.

New narrative scene (David's escape after the Achish episode of ch. 21)καὶ ἀπῆλθεν

The chapter opens with three aorist/historic-present verbs of flight and arrival (ἀπῆλθεν … διεσώθη … ἔρχεται), shifting from David's feigned madness before Achish (ch. 21) to his refuge at Adullam. The historic presents ἔρχεται and καταβαίνουσιν enliven the gathering of his kin to him.

Word-by-word analysis· 29 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀπῆλθενwent awayAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb (departure)→ verbal action or stateἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; renders הָלַךְ; Nathan withdraws, his prophetic task complete, and the narrative turns to the unfolding of the sentence.

ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place (source: from Gath)→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: 'from there / thence'; the deictic adverb points back to the court of Achish at Gath from which David has just fled.

ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliteration of Hebrew דָּוִד; indeclinable in the LXX; the protagonist of the chapter, here a fugitive from Saul.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

διεσώθηwas delivered / escapedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · διασῴζωmain verb (deliverance)→ verbal action or stateδιασῴζω: 'bring safely through / rescue'; the passive διεσώθη ('was brought safe') renders מָלַט (Niphal); the same root recurs at v. 20 (διασῴζεται) of Abiathar's escape, framing the chapter's two deliverances.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔρχεταιcomesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (historic present: arrival)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι: 'come / go'; the historic present ἔρχεται vivifies David's arrival at his place of refuge; common in LXX narrative as a Hebraizing render of the imperfect/waw-consecutive.

εἰςto / intopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).

τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

σπήλαιονcaveAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (goal of motion)→ object specificationσπήλαιον: 'cave / cavern'; renders מְעָרָה; the cave of Adullam becomes the staging-ground for David's outlaw band and, in later tradition, an image of refuge (cf. 2 Sam 23:13; 1 Chr 11:15).

τὸthe (one)Accusativearticle (attributive, introducing the place-name)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΟδολλαμAdullamindeclinable place-name in apposition to σπήλαιον→ participant identificationΟδολλαμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable place-name in apposition to σπήλαιον.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀκούουσινhearPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateἀκούω: 'hear'; the historic present continues the vivid sequence; David's family hear of his whereabouts and respond.

οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀδελφοὶbrothersNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἀδελφός: 'brother'; renders אָח; David's brothers (cf. 16:13; 17:13) join him, the first of the kin and outcasts that gather at Adullam.

αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

οἶκοςhouse(hold)Nominativesubject (coordinate with ἀδελφοί)→ participant prominenceοἶκος: 'house / household / family'; renders בַּיִת; here the extended family of Jesse who come down to David.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive of relationship (his father's house)→ relational specificationπατήρ: 'father'; the οἶκος τοῦ πατρός ('father's house') is the standard kinship unit; here Jesse's household.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

καταβαίνουσινgo downPres Act Indic 3 Pl · καταβαίνωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateκαταβαίνω: 'go down / descend'; renders יָרַד; the family 'go down' to David at the cave, the verb of descent fitting the topography of the Shephelah.

πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction toward person)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction toward person).

αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός.

ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (at the cave)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; locates the gathering at the cave of Adullam.

καὶ συνήγοντο πρὸς αὐτὸν πᾶς ἐν ἀνάγκῃ καὶ πᾶς ὑπόχρεως καὶ πᾶς κατώδυνος ψυχῇ καὶ ἦν ἐπ᾿ αὐτῶν ἡγούμενος καὶ ἦσαν μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ὡς τετρακόσιοι ἄνδρες

And there gathered to him everyone in distress and everyone in debt and everyone embittered in soul, and he became leader over them; and there were with him about four hundred men.

Result/development: the band coalesces around Davidκαὶ συνήγοντο

The threefold πᾶς (in distress / in debt / embittered in soul) is a tricolon describing the social outcasts who rally to David, transforming the fugitive into the head (ἡγούμενος) of a four-hundred-man company. The imperfects συνήγοντο/ἦσαν portray the band gradually forming.

Word-by-word analysis· 26 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

συνήγοντοwere gatheringImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · συνάγωmain verb (iterative gathering)→ verbal action or stateσυνάγω: 'gather / assemble'; the middle/passive imperfect συνήγοντο ('kept gathering / were gathered') renders קָבַץ; the durative aspect pictures a steady accretion of followers.

πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).

πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubject (distributive, first of tricolon)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'everyone / all'; the singular collective πᾶς … καὶ πᾶς … καὶ πᾶς forms a distributive tricolon enumerating the three classes of men who join David.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (state/condition)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (state/condition).

ἀνάγκῃdistress / straitsDativedative of condition (with ἐν: 'in distress')→ sphere or referenceἀνάγκη: 'necessity / distress / hardship'; renders מָצוֹק; the first class — men under pressure or in straits — defines David's following as the marginalized.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubject (second of tricolon)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: meaning 'everyone'; it serves as subject (second of tricolon).

ὑπόχρεωςin debt / a debtorNominativepredicate adjective substantivized (second class)→ participant prominenceὑπόχρεως: 'in debt / debtor' (lit. 'under obligation'); renders the Hebrew נֹשֶׁא ('one to whom there is a creditor', 1 Sam 22:2); the indebted form the second class of David's company.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubject (third of tricolon)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: meaning 'everyone'; it serves as subject (third of tricolon).

κατώδυνοςembittered / in anguishNominativepredicate adjective (third class, modified by ψυχῇ)→ participant prominenceκατώδυνος: 'deeply pained / bitter / in anguish'; renders מַר־נֶפֶשׁ ('bitter of soul'); with ψυχῇ it names those embittered in spirit — the discontented who rally to David.

ψυχῇin soulDativedative of respect (specifying κατώδυνος)→ sphere or referenceψυχή: 'soul / life / self'; dative of respect — 'bitter as to the soul'; renders נֶפֶשׁ in the idiom מַר־נֶפֶשׁ.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἦνhe was / becameImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (predicate: David as leader)→ participant referenceεἰμί (impf. ἦν): 'be'; with ἡγούμενος forms a periphrastic-like predicate, 'he was a leader over them.'

ἐπ᾿overpreposition + genitive (authority over)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + gen.: 'over / in charge of'; expresses David's authority over the band.

αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (those led)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐπί (those led).

ἡγούμενοςleader / leadingPres Mid Part Nom Sg Masc · ἡγέομαιpredicate participle (with ἦν: 'was leading / was their leader')→ verbal action or stateἡγέομαι: 'lead / command / be chief'; the substantival participle ἡγούμενος ('leader / commander') renders שַׂר; David, the fugitive, is now captain of an armed company — the seed of his future kingship.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἦσανthere wereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (existential: 'there were with him')→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (impf. ἦσαν): 'were / there were'; existential use introducing the count of David's men.

μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).

αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.

ὡςaboutadverb (approximation with numeral)→ clausal contributionὡς: 'as / about'; with the numeral it marks an approximate figure, 'about four hundred.'

τετρακόσιοιfour hundredNominativenumeral attributive (modifying ἄνδρες)→ participant prominenceτετρακόσιοι: 'four hundred'; renders אַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת; the round number of David's first company (cf. 25:13; 30:10).

ἄνδρεςmenNominativepredicate nominative (the company numbered)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; renders אִישׁ; the four hundred fighting men who form David's outlaw band.

καὶ ἀπῆλθεν Δαυιδ ἐκεῖθεν εἰς Μασσηφα τῆς Μωαβ καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς βασιλέα Μωαβ γινέσθωσαν δὴ ὁ πατήρ μου καὶ ἡ μήτηρ μου παρὰ σοί ἕως ὅτου γνῶ τί ποιήσει μοι ὁ θεός

And David went away from there to Mizpah of Moab, and he said to the king of Moab, 'Let my father and my mother, I pray, be with you until I know what God will do for me.'

Narrative continuation: David secures his parents in Moabκαὶ ἀπῆλθεν

David, descended from the Moabite Ruth (Ruth 4:17, 22), seeks asylum for his parents with Moab's king. The polite third-person imperative γινέσθωσαν δή ('let them please remain') and the temporal clause ἕως ὅτου γνῶ ('until I know what God will do for me') voice David's dependence on divine guidance amid his flight.

Word-by-word analysis· 32 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).

ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place (source: from Adullam)→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: 'from there'; points back to the cave of Adullam.

εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).

ΜασσηφαMizpahindeclinable place-name (goal of motion)→ participant identificationΜασσηφα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable place-name (goal of motion).

τῆςofGenitivearticle (genitive of place: 'of Moab')→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΜωαβMoabindeclinable genitive of place (Mizpah of Moab)→ participant identificationΜωαβ: transliteration of Hebrew מוֹאָב; indeclinable; the trans-Jordanian kingdom, ancestral home of David's great-grandmother Ruth, here a place of refuge for his parents.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).

βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (addressee)→ object specificationβασιλέα: meaning 'king'; it serves as accusative object of πρός (addressee).

Μωαβof Moabindeclinable genitive (king of Moab)→ participant identificationΜωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable genitive (king of Moab).

γινέσθωσανlet them be / remainPres Mid Impv 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb of request (third-person imperative)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι: 'become / be / remain'; the present imperative γινέσθωσαν ('let them be/stay') renders יֵשֵׁב; a polite petition that David's parents may abide under the king's protection.

δὴplease / I prayentreaty particle (softening the imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: emphatic/hortatory particle, 'now / please / I pray'; renders נָא; softens the imperative into a courteous request.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πατήρfatherNominativesubject of γινέσθωσαν→ participant prominenceπατήρ: 'father'; Jesse, David's father, whom he seeks to keep safe from Saul's reach.

μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

μήτηρmotherNominativesubject (coordinate with πατήρ)→ participant prominenceμήτηρ: 'mother'; renders אֵם; David's mother, paired with his father as the objects of his protective care.

παρὰwith / besidepreposition + dative (in someone's keeping)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + dat.: 'with / beside / in the care of'; locates the parents under the king's hospitality and protection.

σοίyouDativedative object of παρά (the king)→ participant reference or interestσοί: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of παρά (the king).

ἕωςuntiltemporal conjunction (with ὅτου)→ discourse linkage or contrastἕως: 'until'; with ὅτου introduces the temporal limit of the arrangement.

ὅτουsuch time asGenitiverelative pronoun (gen., with ἕως: 'until the time when')→ relational specificationὅστις (gen. ὅτου): in the idiom ἕως ὅτου, 'until the time that / until when'; renders עַד אֲשֶׁר.

γνῶI know / learnAor Act Subj 1 Sg · γινώσκωverb of temporal clause (subjunctive after ἕως ὅτου)→ verbal action or stateγινώσκω: 'know / learn / come to know'; renders יָדַע; the aorist subjunctive after ἕως ὅτου marks the future point at which David will discern God's plan.

τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of ποιήσει, in indirect question)→ participant referenceτίς, τί: interrogative 'what?'; introduces the indirect question, the content of David's hoped-for knowledge.

ποιήσειwill doFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of indirect question (future)→ verbal action or stateποιέω: 'do / make'; renders עָשָׂה; the future expresses David's uncertainty about, yet trust in, God's intended action for him.

μοιfor me / to meDativedative of advantage→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'for me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

θεόςGodNominativesubject of ποιήσει→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; David frames his whole flight as governed by God's purpose, awaiting divine direction.

καὶ παρεκάλεσεν τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ βασιλέως Μωαβ καὶ κατῴκουν μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ὄντος τοῦ Δαυιδ ἐν τῇ περιοχῇ

And he entreated the face of the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all the days that David was in the stronghold.

Resolution of vv. 3: the parents settle in Moabκαὶ παρεκάλεσεν

The Hebraism παρεκάλεσεν τὸ πρόσωπον ('entreated the face') renders חִלָּה פְנֵי ('softened/sought the face of'). The genitive absolute ὄντος τοῦ Δαυιδ ('while David was…') fixes the duration of the arrangement to David's time in the stronghold.

Word-by-word analysis· 20 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

παρεκάλεσενentreatedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παρακαλέωmain verb (petition)→ verbal action or stateπαρακαλέω: 'call to one's side / entreat / beseech'; here in the Hebraistic idiom παρεκάλεσεν τὸ πρόσωπον ('entreated the face'), rendering חִלָּה פָּנִים, i.e. sought the king's favor.

τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πρόσωπονfaceAccusativedirect object (Hebraism: 'entreated the face')→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; renders פָּנִים; in the idiom 'entreat the face' it stands for the person's favorable disposition.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of possession (the king's face)→ relational specificationβασιλέως: meaning 'king'; it serves as genitive of possession (the king's face).

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

κατῴκουνthey dweltImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · κατοικέωmain verb (durative residence)→ verbal action or stateκατοικέω: 'dwell / settle / inhabit'; renders יָשַׁב; the imperfect κατῴκουν portrays the ongoing, settled residence of David's people in the Hebron district.

μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).

αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετά (the king)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (the king).

πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἡμέρας)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all / every'; with ἡμέρας marks the full extent of the stay.

τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time ('all the days')→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; accusative of duration; renders יָמִים; the whole period of David's stay in the stronghold.

ὄντοςbeing / while wasPres Part Gen Sg Masc · εἰμίgenitive absolute (temporal: 'while David was')→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: meaning 'being'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as genitive absolute (temporal: 'while David was').

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with Δαυιδ in genitive absolute)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΔαυιδDavidGenitivesubject of genitive absolute (indeclinable, articular)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: here governed by the article τοῦ in the genitive absolute; the indeclinable name takes its case from the article.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).

τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

περιοχῇstrongholdDativedative of place (in the stronghold)→ sphere or referenceπεριοχή: 'enclosure / stronghold / fastness'; renders מְצוּדָה ('fortress / refuge'); David's mountain refuge, mentioned again at v. 5 (μὴ κάθου ἐν τῇ περιοχῇ).

καὶ εἶπεν Γαδ ὁ προφήτης πρὸς Δαυιδ μὴ κάθου ἐν τῇ περιοχῇ πορεύου καὶ ἥξεις εἰς γῆν Ιουδα καὶ ἐπορεύθη Δαυιδ καὶ ἦλθεν καὶ ἐκάθισεν ἐν πόλει Σαριχ

And Gad the prophet said to David, 'Do not stay in the stronghold; go and you shall come into the land of Judah.' And David went and came and settled in the city of Saric.

Prophetic directive that turns David back to Judah (closes section A)καὶ εἶπεν Γαδ

Gad, here first introduced as ὁ προφήτης ('the prophet'), gives David his marching orders: leave the stronghold for Judah. The prohibitive μὴ κάθου and the imperative πορεύου with predictive ἥξεις are answered by a triad of obedient aorists (ἐπορεύθη … ἦλθεν … ἐκάθισεν).

Word-by-word analysis· 28 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: 'say'; introduces the prophet Gad's oracle to David.

ΓαδGadsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΓαδ: transliteration of Hebrew גָּד; indeclinable; the prophet (later 'David's seer', 2 Sam 24:11) who counsels David during his outlaw years.

ὁtheNominativearticle (with appositive προφήτης)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

προφήτηςprophetNominativenominative in apposition to Γαδ→ participant prominenceπροφήτης: 'prophet'; renders נָבִיא; Gad's designation marks his words as divine guidance, not mere advice.

ΔαυιδDavidaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).

μὴnotnegative particle (prohibition with imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the negative of command; with κάθου forms a prohibition, 'do not stay.'

κάθουstay / sitPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · κάθημαιmain verb (prohibition)→ verbal action or stateκάθημαι: 'sit / remain / dwell'; the present imperative with μή forbids continued residence — 'do not keep staying in the stronghold.'

ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).

τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

περιοχῇstrongholdDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceπεριοχῇ: meaning 'stronghold'; it serves as dative of place.

πορεύουgoPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (positive command)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go / travel / set out'; renders הָלַךְ; the imperative directs David's movement toward Judah.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἥξειςyou shall comeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἥκωmain verb (predictive future as quasi-command)→ verbal action or stateἥκω: 'come / arrive / have come'; renders בּוֹא; the future after the imperative assures David of safe arrival in Judah.

εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).

γῆνlandAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (goal)→ object specificationγῆ: 'land / earth'; renders אֶרֶץ; the land of Judah, David's own tribal territory and proper sphere.

Ιουδαof Judahindeclinable genitive (land of Judah)→ participant identificationΙουδα: transliteration of Hebrew יְהוּדָה; indeclinable; David's own tribe and the heartland of his future kingdom.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (obedient action)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι (aor. pass. dep.): 'go / journey'; the aorist records David's prompt obedience to the prophetic word.

ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (arrival)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι: 'come / go'; the second of the obedience-triad, marking David's arrival in Judah.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐκάθισενsettled / satAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καθίζωmain verb (settling)→ verbal action or stateκαθίζω: 'sit / settle / take up residence'; renders יָשַׁב; David settles in the forest of Hereth (MT), here the city of Saric.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).

πόλειcityDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceπόλις: 'city / town'; renders the place-name; the LXX reads a city (Saric) where the MT has the forest of Hereth (יַעַר חָרֶת).

ΣαριχSaricindeclinable place-name in apposition to πόλει→ participant identificationΣαριχ: a Greek place-name in this reading, corresponding to the Hebrew of the forest of Hereth (יַעַר חָרֶת); indeclinable.

καὶ ἤκουσεν Σαουλ ὅτι ἔγνωσται Δαυιδ καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες οἱ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ Σαουλ ἐκάθητο ἐν τῷ βουνῷ ὑπὸ τὴν ἄρουραν τὴν ἐν Ραμα καὶ τὸ δόρυ ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντες οἱ παῖδες αὐτοῦ παρειστήκεισαν αὐτῷ

And Saul heard that David and the men with him had been discovered; and Saul was sitting on the height under the tamarisk that is in Ramah, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing by him.

Scene-shift to Saul's court (opens section B)καὶ ἤκουσεν Σαουλ

The narrative cuts to Saul, set in static tableau: seated on the height under the tamarisk, spear in hand, servants standing by. The perfect ἔγνωσται ('has become known') reports the intelligence reaching him; the imperfect/pluperfect verbs (ἐκάθητο … παρειστήκεισαν) freeze the royal court for the accusation that follows.

Word-by-word analysis· 38 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἤκουσενheardAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (reception of news)→ verbal action or stateἀκούω: 'hear'; renders שָׁמַע; Saul receives the report of David's reappearance.

ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliteration of Hebrew שָׁאוּל; indeclinable; the reigning king, David's pursuer.

ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing object clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the content of what Saul heard.

ἔγνωσταιhas been discoveredPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · γινώσκωverb of object clause (perfect: settled state of being known)→ verbal action or stateγινώσκω (perf. pass.): 'be known / be discovered'; the perfect ἔγνωσται marks David's location as now an established fact — the intelligence that triggers Saul's action.

ΔαυιδDavidsubject of ἔγνωσται (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἔγνωσται (indeclinable).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (coordinate with Δαυιδ)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; David's company (cf. v. 2), also now located by Saul's informants.

οἱthe (ones)Nominativearticle (attributive with μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).

καὶandnarrative conjunction (begins the tableau)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

ἐκάθητοwas sittingImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · κάθημαιmain verb (durative posture)→ verbal action or stateκάθημαι: 'sit / be seated / be enthroned'; the imperfect ἐκάθητο sets the scene — Saul enthroned on the height, in contrast to the fugitive David.

ἐνon / inpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).

τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βουνῷheight / hillDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceβουνός: 'hill / height / mound'; here likely the place-name Gibeah (גִּבְעָה, 'the height'), Saul's home base; the LXX renders the proper noun by its appellative sense.

ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (position beneath)→ spatial or relational framingὑπό + acc.: 'under / beneath'; locates Saul beneath the tree.

τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἄρουρανtamarisk / field-treeAccusativeaccusative object of ὑπό (the tree)→ object specificationἄρουρα: properly 'tilled field / arable land'; here it renders Hebrew אֶשֶׁל ('tamarisk tree') under which Saul sits (cf. 31:13); the LXX appears to read the term as the cultivated ground/tree of the site.

τὴνthe (one)Accusativearticle (attributive: 'that is in Ramah')→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).

ΡαμαRamahindeclinable place-name (location of the tree)→ participant identificationΡαμα: transliteration of Hebrew רָמָה ('height'); indeclinable; here the locale of Saul's seat (MT: at Gibeah on the height).

καὶandnarrative conjunction (circumstantial detail)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

δόρυspearNominativesubject of an implied 'was' (nominal clause: 'his spear in his hand')→ participant prominenceδόρυ: 'spear'; renders חֲנִית; Saul's ever-present spear (cf. 18:10–11; 19:9–10; 26:7) — a recurring emblem of his menace.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).

τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

χειρὶhandDativedative of place (in his hand)→ sphere or referenceχείρ: 'hand'; renders יָד; the spear in hand signals Saul's perpetual readiness for violence.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying παῖδες)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole retinue stands attendant.

οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

παῖδεςservantsNominativesubject of παρειστήκεισαν→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant / attendant / boy'; renders עֶבֶד; Saul's courtiers, here Benjaminite kinsmen (v. 7), standing in attendance.

παρειστήκεισανwere standing byPlpf Act Indic 3 Pl · παρίστημιmain verb (attendant posture)→ verbal action or stateπαρίστημι (plpf. with present sense): 'stand beside / attend'; the pluperfect παρειστήκεισαν ('were standing by') of an intransitive perfect denotes settled attendance — the courtiers ranged about their enthroned king.

αὐτῷby himDativedative of relation (attending him)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'by him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of relation (attending him).

καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ πρὸς τοὺς παῖδας αὐτοῦ τοὺς παρεστηκότας αὐτῷ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ἀκούσατε δή υἱοὶ Βενιαμιν εἰ ἀληθῶς πᾶσιν ὑμῖν δώσει ὁ υἱὸς Ιεσσαι ἀγροὺς καὶ ἀμπελῶνας καὶ πάντας ὑμᾶς τάξει ἑκατοντάρχους καὶ χιλιάρχους

And Saul said to his servants who were standing by him, and he said to them, 'Hear now, sons of Benjamin: will the son of Jesse truly give to all of you fields and vineyards, and make you all commanders of hundreds and commanders of thousands?'

Saul's accusatory address to his Benjaminite servantsκαὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ

Saul's rhetorical question plays on tribal self-interest: 'the son of Jesse' (a Judahite) will hardly enrich Benjaminites with fields and commissions. The contemptuous designation ὁ υἱὸς Ιεσσαι (refusing David's name) recurs through the speech. The doubled εἶπεν … εἶπεν αὐτοῖς is a Hebraizing resumptive.

Word-by-word analysis· 35 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: 'say'; introduces Saul's address to his retinue.

ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

παῖδαςservantsAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (addressees)→ object specificationπαῖς: 'servant / attendant'; Saul's Benjaminite courtiers.

τοὺςthe (ones)Accusativearticle (attributive with participle)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

παρεστηκόταςstanding byPerf Act Part Acc Pl Masc · παρίστημιattributive participle (modifying παῖδας)→ verbal action or stateπαρίστημι (perf. part.): 'stand beside / attend'; the perfect participle describes the courtiers in their fixed attendance, echoing παρειστήκεισαν of v. 6.

καὶandnarrative conjunction (resumptive)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (resumptive speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: the resumptive εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ('he said to them') is a Hebraizing redundancy after the introductory clause, common in LXX direct speech.

αὐτοῖςto themDativedative indirect object (the servants)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (the servants).

ἀκούσατεhear!Aor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (summons to attention)→ verbal action or stateἀκούω: 'hear / listen'; the aorist imperative ἀκούσατε δή ('hear now') opens the accusatory address with a call to attention.

δήnowemphatic particle (urging attention)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: emphatic particle, 'now / indeed'; renders נָא; lends urgency to the summons.

υἱοὶsonsNominativevocative (nominative form: 'sons of Benjamin')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; in the vocative-as-nominative address υἱοὶ Βενιαμιν ('sons of Benjamin'), Saul appeals to tribal loyalty — they share his Benjaminite blood, unlike the Judahite David.

Βενιαμινof Benjaminindeclinable genitive (sons of Benjamin)→ participant identificationΒενιαμιν: transliteration of Hebrew בִּנְיָמִין; indeclinable; Saul's own tribe; the appeal sets tribal solidarity against David.

εἰwhetherinterrogative particle (introducing rhetorical question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: here introduces a (rhetorical) direct question, 'will…?'; expects the answer 'no' — David would never enrich Benjaminites.

ἀληθῶςtruly / reallyadverb (intensifying the question)→ clausal contributionἀληθῶς: 'truly / really'; sharpens the sarcasm: do you really expect the son of Jesse to reward you?

πᾶσινto allDativeattributive adjective (with ὑμῖν)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all'; emphasizes the implausibility of David enriching every one of them.

ὑμῖνyouDativedative indirect object of δώσει→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object of δώσει.

δώσειwill giveFut Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb of the rhetorical question→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι: 'give'; renders נָתַן; the future poses the absurd prospect that David would distribute lands and offices to Benjaminites.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

υἱὸςsonNominativesubject of δώσει→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the dismissive periphrasis ὁ υἱὸς Ιεσσαι ('the son of Jesse') studiously avoids David's name (cf. vv. 8, 9, 13).

Ιεσσαιof Jesseindeclinable genitive (son of Jesse)→ participant identificationΙεσσαι: transliteration of Hebrew יִשַׁי; indeclinable; David's father; 'son of Jesse' is Saul's contemptuous label for his rival.

ἀγροὺςfieldsAccusativedirect object of δώσει→ object specificationἀγρός: 'field / farm / land'; renders שָׂדֶה; landed estates, the reward a king grants loyal servants.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀμπελῶναςvineyardsAccusativedirect object (coordinate with ἀγρούς)→ object specificationἀμπελών: 'vineyard'; renders כֶּרֶם; vineyards, like fields, are symbols of granted wealth (cf. 8:14).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (second limb of question)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjective (with ὑμᾶς)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; again stresses the unlikely universal promotion.

ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of τάξει→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of τάξει.

τάξειwill appointFut Act Indic 3 Sg · τάσσωmain verb (second rhetorical question)→ verbal action or stateτάσσω: 'appoint / arrange / station'; renders שִׂים; will David make you all military officers? — another absurd supposition.

ἑκατοντάρχουςcommanders of hundredsAccusativeobject complement (the rank conferred)→ object specificationἑκατόνταρχος: 'centurion / commander of a hundred'; renders שַׂר מֵאוֹת; a military rank, here held out as an improbable gift from David.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

χιλιάρχουςcommanders of thousandsAccusativeobject complement (coordinate rank)→ object specificationχιλίαρχος: 'commander of a thousand / chiliarch'; renders שַׂר אֲלָפִים; the higher officer rank, completing Saul's sarcastic catalogue of supposed rewards.

ὅτι σύγκεισθε πάντες ὑμεῖς ἐπ᾿ ἐμέ καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ ἀποκαλύπτων τὸ ὠτίον μου ἐν τῷ διαθέσθαι τὸν υἱόν μου διαθήκην μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ Ιεσσαι καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν πονῶν περὶ ἐμοῦ ἐξ ὑμῶν καὶ ἀποκαλύπτων τὸ ὠτίον μου ὅτι ἐπήγειρεν ὁ υἱός μου τὸν δοῦλόν μου ἐπ᾿ ἐμὲ εἰς ἐχθρὸν ὡς ἡ ἡμέρα αὕτη

'For you have all conspired against me, and there is none who discloses to my ear, when my son made a covenant with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you who feels grief for me or discloses to my ear that my son has stirred up my servant against me as an enemy, as it is this day.'

Ground of the accusation (causal ὅτι): the supposed conspiracyὅτι σύγκεισθε

Saul's paranoia crests: a charge of universal conspiracy (σύγκεισθε πάντες) and a complaint that no one discloses 'to my ear' that Jonathan (ὁ υἱός μου) has covenanted with David. The Hebraism ἀποκαλύπτων τὸ ὠτίον ('uncover the ear' = disclose) frames Saul's grievance; David is twice reduced to 'my servant' turned 'enemy.'

Word-by-word analysis· 54 words

ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (ground of the foregoing question)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'for / because'; introduces the basis of Saul's grievance — the alleged conspiracy.

σύγκεισθεyou have conspiredPres Mid Indic 2 Pl · σύγκειμαιmain verb (charge of conspiracy)→ verbal action or stateσύγκειμαι: 'be banded together / conspire / be in collusion'; renders קָשַׁר; the present depicts the courtiers as in a standing conspiracy against Saul.

πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (with ὑμεῖς)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; Saul's paranoia totalizes — every servant is implicated.

ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic, with verb ending)→ participant referenceσύ (pl. ὑμεῖς): the explicit pronoun is emphatic, sharpening the accusation against the assembled servants.

ἐπ᾿againstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'against'; the hostile sense governs ἐμέ.

ἐμέmeAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the conspiracy's target)→ participant referenceἐμέ: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί (the conspiracy's target).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential negation)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: 'be / there is'; the existential οὐκ ἔστιν ('there is none') introduces Saul's complaint of being kept in the dark.

ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀποκαλύπτωνone who disclosesPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · ἀποκαλύπτωsubstantival participle (predicate of ἔστιν: 'there is no one who discloses')→ verbal action or stateἀποκαλύπτω: 'uncover / reveal / disclose'; in the idiom ἀποκαλύπτω τὸ ὠτίον ('uncover the ear') it renders גָּלָה אֹזֶן ('disclose to / inform'); Saul complains no one informs him.

τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὠτίονearAccusativedirect object of ἀποκαλύπτων (Hebraism: 'uncover the ear')→ object specificationὠτίον: 'ear' (diminutive of οὖς); in the idiom ἀποκαλύπτω τὸ ὠτίον = 'disclose to / inform'; renders אֹזֶן in גָּלָה אֹזֶן.

ἐνin / whenpreposition + dative (with articular infinitive: temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν τῷ + inf.: temporal construction, 'when / while'; a Hebraizing render of בְּ + infinitive construct.

τῷtheDativearticle (with articular infinitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

διαθέσθαιto make / madeAor Mid Inf · διατίθημιarticular infinitive (temporal clause: 'when my son made')→ verbal action or stateδιατίθημι (mid.): 'make (a covenant)'; the articular infinitive μετὰ τὸ διαθέσθαι ('after the making of the covenant') is a standard LXX temporal construction; the keyword recurs, marking the covenant as the now-irreversible reference point.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with υἱόν, subject-accusative of infinitive)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

υἱόνsonAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive διαθέσθαι→ object specificationυἱόν: meaning 'son'; it serves as accusative subject of the infinitive διαθέσθαι.

μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (my son = Jonathan)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (my son = Jonathan).

διαθήκηνcovenantAccusativedirect object of διαθέσθαι (cognate with the verb)→ object specificationδιαθήκην: meaning 'covenant'; it serves as direct object of διαθέσθαι (cognate with the verb).

μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (covenant partner)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (covenant partner).

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive object of μετά (the covenant partner)→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; again the dismissive ὁ υἱὸς Ιεσσαι for David.

Ιεσσαιof Jesseindeclinable genitive (son of Jesse)→ participant identificationΙεσσαι: see v. 7; the contemptuous label for David.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential negation)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: existential 'there is'; Saul repeats the complaint of being uninformed and unpitied.

πονῶνone grieving / feeling painPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · πονέωsubstantival participle (predicate of ἔστιν: 'there is none who grieves')→ verbal action or stateπονέω: 'toil / suffer pain / be grieved'; here 'feel distress / be concerned'; renders חָלָה / a verb of grieving; Saul laments that none of his men feels sorrow on his behalf.

περὶfor / concerningpreposition + genitive (object of concern)→ spatial or relational framingπερί + gen.: 'concerning / for'; the object of the (absent) concern.

ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of περί→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; it serves as genitive object of περί.

ἐξof / frompreposition + genitive (partitive: 'of you')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ + gen.: partitive, 'of / from among you' — none from your number.

ὑμῶνyouGenitivepartitive genitive (object of ἐξ)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as partitive genitive (object of ἐξ).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀποκαλύπτωνone who disclosesPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · ἀποκαλύπτωsubstantival participle (coordinate with πονῶν)→ verbal action or stateἀποκαλύπτω: see above; the repetition of the 'uncover the ear' idiom underlines Saul's sense of being kept ignorant.

τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὠτίονearAccusativedirect object of ἀποκαλύπτων (Hebraism)→ object specificationὠτίον: see above; 'uncover my ear' = inform me.

ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing content of disclosure)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐπήγειρενstirred upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπεγείρωverb of the ὅτι-clause→ verbal action or stateἐπεγείρω: meaning 'stirred up'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as verb of the ὅτι-clause.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

υἱόςsonNominativesubject of ἐπήγειρεν (Jonathan)→ participant prominenceυἱός: meaning 'son'; it serves as subject of ἐπήγειρεν (Jonathan).

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

δοῦλόνservant / slaveAccusativedirect object of ἐπήγειρεν (David, demeaned)→ object specificationδοῦλος: 'slave / servant'; renders עֶבֶד; Saul demeans David as 'my servant/slave' (a step below the παῖς of v. 7), heightening the sense of betrayal.

ἐπ᾿againstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile direction).

ἐμὲmeAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ participant referenceἐμὲ: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί.

εἰςas / forpreposition + accusative (predicative: 'as an enemy')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + acc.: predicative use, 'as / to be'; a Hebraism (לְ of result) — David is set 'as an enemy.'

ἐχθρὸνenemyAccusativepredicate accusative (David cast as enemy)→ object specificationἐχθρός: 'enemy / foe'; renders אוֹיֵב; Saul's fixed view of David, repeated at v. 13.

ὡςascomparative particle (introducing temporal comparison)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as'; in ὡς ἡ ἡμέρα αὕτη ('as at this day') marks the present reality of the alleged enmity.

ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἡμέραdayNominativesubject of an implied 'is' (idiom 'as it is this day')→ participant prominenceἡμέρα: 'day'; the formula ὡς ἡ ἡμέρα αὕτη ('as at this day') renders כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה, asserting the present, ongoing reality of the situation.

αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρα)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; deictic, pointing to the very day of speaking.

καὶ ἀποκρίνεται Δωηκ ὁ Σύρος ὁ καθεστηκὼς ἐπὶ τὰς ἡμιόνους Σαουλ καὶ εἶπεν ἑόρακα τὸν υἱὸν Ιεσσαι παραγινόμενον εἰς Νομβα πρὸς Αβιμελεχ υἱὸν Αχιτωβ τὸν ἱερέα

And Doeg the Syrian, who was set over Saul's mules, answered and said, 'I have seen the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech son of Ahitub the priest.'

Doeg's incriminating report (turns the scene toward the priests)καὶ ἀποκρίνεται Δωηκ

Doeg, the Edomite/Syrian overseer of Saul's mules, breaks the silence. His historic-present ἀποκρίνεται and perfect ἑόρακα ('I have seen') deliver eyewitness testimony that fatally implicates Ahimelech; the participle παραγινόμενον reports David's arrival at Nob (ch. 21).

Word-by-word analysis· 26 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀποκρίνεταιanswersPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (historic present: response)→ verbal action or stateἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer / respond'; the historic present vivifies Doeg's intervention; renders עָנָה.

ΔωηκDoegsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔωηκ: transliteration of Hebrew דֹּאֵג; indeclinable; the informer whose report triggers the massacre of the priests.

ὁtheNominativearticle (with appositive Σύρος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

Σύροςthe SyrianNominativenominative in apposition to Δωηκ→ participant prominenceΣύρος: 'Syrian'; the LXX's rendering of Hebrew אֲדֹמִי ('Edomite'), a known textual variant (אֲרַמִּי/אֲדֹמִי); identifies Doeg as a foreigner in Saul's service.

ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

καθεστηκὼςset / appointedPerf Act Part Nom Sg Masc · καθίστημιsubstantival participle (apposition: 'the one set over')→ verbal action or stateκαθίστημι (perf. part., intrans.): 'be set / appointed / put in charge'; renders the office of overseer; Doeg's post over the royal mules placed him at Nob to witness David's visit.

ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative (charge over)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'over / in charge of'; Doeg's sphere of responsibility.

τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἡμιόνουςmulesAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (his charge)→ object specificationἡμίονος: 'mule'; renders פֶּרֶד; Doeg superintended Saul's mules (or, in some MSS, the herdsmen), a menial-but-trusted royal post.

Σαουλof Saulindeclinable genitive (Saul's mules)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; here genitive of possession, the mules belonging to Saul.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: 'say'; introduces Doeg's testimony.

ἑόρακαI have seenPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (eyewitness report)→ verbal action or stateὁράω (perf. ἑόρακα): 'see'; the perfect stresses Doeg's firsthand, abiding knowledge — 'I have seen (and so I know).'

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

υἱὸνsonAccusativedirect object of ἑόρακα→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; Doeg echoes Saul's contemptuous 'son of Jesse' for David.

Ιεσσαιof Jesseindeclinable genitive (son of Jesse)→ participant identificationΙεσσαι: see v. 7.

παραγινόμενονcoming / arrivingPres Mid Part Acc Sg Masc · παραγίνομαιsupplementary participle (with verb of perception: 'I saw him coming')→ verbal action or stateπαραγίνομαι: 'arrive / come / be present'; the participle after a verb of seeing reports the perceived action — David coming to Nob (the episode of ch. 21).

εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).

ΝομβαNobindeclinable place-name (goal of motion)→ participant identificationΝομβα: transliteration of Hebrew נֹב; indeclinable; the priestly city near Jerusalem where Ahimelech served and aided David (ch. 21).

ΑβιμελεχAhimelechindeclinable accusative object of πρός→ participant identificationΑβιμελεχ: the LXX form (Abimelech) of Hebrew אֲחִימֶלֶךְ (Ahimelech); indeclinable; the high priest of Nob who unwittingly aided David.

υἱὸνsonAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Αβιμελεχ→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; identifies Ahimelech by his patronymic, son of Ahitub.

Αχιτωβof Ahitubindeclinable genitive (son of Ahitub)→ participant identificationΑχιτωβ: transliteration of Hebrew אֲחִיטוּב; indeclinable; Ahimelech's father, of the line of Eli (cf. 14:3).

τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with appositive ἱερέα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἱερέαpriestAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Αβιμελεχ→ object specificationἱερεύς: 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; designates Ahimelech's office — the very fact that makes his aid to David, and Saul's response, so charged.

καὶ ἠρώτα αὐτῷ διὰ τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἐπισιτισμὸν ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ καὶ τὴν ῥομφαίαν Γολιαδ τοῦ ἀλλοφύλου ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ

And he enquired of God for him, and he gave him provisions and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.

Doeg's report continued: the three acts of aidκαὶ ἠρώτα

Doeg itemizes three incriminating acts by Ahimelech: an oracle (ἠρώτα … διὰ τοῦ θεοῦ), provisions (ἐπισιτισμόν), and Goliath's sword. The triple-charge (oracle, bread, sword) is exactly the indictment Saul throws back at Ahimelech in v. 13. The doubled ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ is emphatic.

Word-by-word analysis· 18 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἠρώταhe enquiredImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐρωτάωmain verb (oracular consultation)→ verbal action or stateἐρωτάω: 'ask / enquire'; here the technical sense 'enquire of God' (seek an oracle), rendering שָׁאַל בּ; the imperfect portrays the consultation in process.

αὐτῷfor himDativedative of advantage (enquired on David's behalf)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat.): 'for him'; the dative marks David as the beneficiary of the priestly enquiry (a construction with ἐρωτάω + dative recurring at vv. 13, 15).

διὰthrough / bypreposition + genitive (means/agency of the oracle)→ spatial or relational framingδιά + gen.: 'through / by means of'; the oracle is obtained 'through God' — i.e. by priestly inquiry (Urim, ephod).

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive object of διά (the divine source consulted)→ relational specificationθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the enquiry 'through God' is the oracular consultation that Saul will treat as treasonous collusion.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐπισιτισμὸνprovisionsAccusativedirect object of ἔδωκεν (food given)→ object specificationἐπισιτισμός: 'provisions / food-supply'; renders the bread (the consecrated showbread) Ahimelech gave David (21:6); the second incriminating act.

ἔδωκενhe gaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (act of provisioning)→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι: 'give'; renders נָתַן; Ahimelech's giving of food and sword are the deeds Doeg reports and Saul condemns.

αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object (David)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (David).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ῥομφαίανswordAccusativedirect object of the second ἔδωκεν→ object specificationῥομφαία: 'sword / large blade'; renders חֶרֶב; Goliath's sword, kept at the sanctuary, given to David (21:9); the third and most damning act.

Γολιαδof Goliathindeclinable genitive (Goliath's sword)→ participant identificationΓολιαδ: the LXX form of Hebrew גָּלְיָת (Goliath); indeclinable; the Philistine champion David slew (ch. 17), whose sword was stored at Nob.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with appositive ἀλλοφύλου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀλλοφύλουthe Philistine / foreignerGenitivegenitive in apposition to Γολιαδ→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: 'of another tribe / foreigner'; the LXX's standard rendering of פְּלִשְׁתִּי ('Philistine'); identifies Goliath as the enemy champion.

ἔδωκενhe gaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (resumptive: gift of the sword)→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι: the repeated ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ ('he gave him') is an emphatic Hebraizing resumption stressing each separate act of aid.

καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ βασιλεὺς καλέσαι τὸν Αβιμελεχ υἱὸν Αχιτωβ καὶ πάντας τοὺς υἱοὺς τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ τοὺς ἱερεῖς τοὺς ἐν Νομβα καὶ παρεγένοντο πάντες πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα

And the king sent to summon Ahimelech son of Ahitub and all the sons of his father, the priests who were in Nob; and they all came to the king.

Saul's summons of the whole priestly house (opens section C)καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ βασιλεὺς

Saul widens the net from Ahimelech to 'all the sons of his father, the priests in Nob' — the comprehensive πάντας foreshadows the comprehensive slaughter to come. The aorist of summons (ἀπέστειλεν … καλέσαι) and of compliance (παρεγένοντο πάντες) set up the confrontation.

Word-by-word analysis· 27 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (act of summoning)→ verbal action or stateἀποστέλλω: 'send / dispatch'; renders שָׁלַח; the king sends messengers to summon the priests.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; Saul, here designated by office as the agent of judicial summons.

καλέσαιto summon / callAor Act Inf · καλέωinfinitive of purpose (with ἀπέστειλεν)→ verbal action or stateκαλέω: 'call / summon'; renders קָרָא; the infinitive of purpose specifies why the king sent — to summon the priests.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΑβιμελεχAhimelechindeclinable accusative object of καλέσαι→ participant identificationΑβιμελεχ: see v. 9; the high priest summoned for interrogation.

υἱὸνsonAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Αβιμελεχ→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; identifies Ahimelech by patronymic.

Αχιτωβof Ahitubindeclinable genitive (son of Ahitub)→ participant identificationΑχιτωβ: see v. 9.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying υἱούς)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the comprehensive summons of the whole priestly house, ominously anticipating the total massacre.

τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

υἱοὺςsonsAccusativeaccusative object of καλέσαι (coordinate)→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; the priestly family — Ahimelech's kin who serve at Nob.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive of relationship (his father's sons = his kin)→ relational specificationπατήρ: 'father'; οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ πατρός αὐτοῦ ('the sons of his father') = the whole priestly clan of Ahitub.

τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with appositive ἱερεῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἱερεῖςpriestsAccusativeaccusative in apposition to υἱούς→ object specificationἱερεύς: 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; the apposition makes clear that the entire priestly contingent of Nob is summoned.

τοὺςthe (ones)Accusativearticle (attributive: 'who were in Nob')→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).

ΝομβαNobindeclinable place-name (location of the priests)→ participant identificationΝομβα: see v. 9; the priestly city.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

παρεγένοντοcame / arrivedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · παραγίνομαιmain verb (compliance with the summons)→ verbal action or stateπαραγίνομαι: 'arrive / present oneself'; the priests obediently come before the king — unaware they are walking into a death-trap.

πάντεςallNominativesubject (the whole company)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the second πάντες stresses that the entire priestly house answered the summons.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; Saul, before whom the priests present themselves.

καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ ἄκουε δή υἱὲ Αχιτωβ καὶ εἶπεν ἰδοὺ ἐγώ λάλει κύριε

And Saul said, 'Hear now, son of Ahitub.' And he said, 'Here I am; speak, my lord.'

Opening exchange of the interrogationκαὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ

A terse two-part exchange: Saul's summons (ἄκουε δή, 'hear now') and Ahimelech's deferential reply ἰδοὺ ἐγώ … κύριε ('here I am … my lord'). Note κύριε here is the human honorific 'my lord' (Ahimelech addressing King Saul), not the divine name.

Word-by-word analysis· 13 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: 'say'; introduces Saul's address to Ahimelech.

ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

ἄκουεhearPres Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (summons to attention)→ verbal action or stateἀκούω: 'hear / listen'; the present imperative ἄκουε δή ('hear now') opens the interrogation.

δήnowemphatic particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: emphatic, 'now'; renders נָא; urges Ahimelech's attention.

υἱὲsonVocativevocative of address ('son of Ahitub')→ direct addressυἱός (voc. υἱέ): 'son'; Saul addresses Ahimelech curtly by patronymic, υἱὲ Αχιτωβ.

Αχιτωβof Ahitubindeclinable genitive (son of Ahitub)→ participant identificationΑχιτωβ: see v. 9.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Ahimelech's reply)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: 'say'; introduces Ahimelech's deferential response.

ἰδοὺbehold / herepresentative particle (attention-marker)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold / here'; renders הִנֵּה; in ἰδοὺ ἐγώ ('here I am') it signals ready, obedient presence.

ἐγώINominativesubject of implied 'am' (ἰδοὺ ἐγώ: 'here I am')→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic pronoun in ἰδοὺ ἐγώ ('here am I') renders הִנֵּנִי, the formula of attentive availability.

λάλειspeakPres Act Impv 2 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (invitation to speak)→ verbal action or stateλαλέω: 'speak'; Ahimelech invites the king to state his charge — the deferential reply of an innocent man.

κύριεmy lordVocativevocative of address (human honorific: Saul)→ direct addressκύριος (voc. κύριε): here the human honorific 'my lord / sir', Ahimelech addressing King Saul — not the divine name; renders אֲדֹנִי.

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Σαουλ ἵνα τί συνέθου κατ᾿ ἐμοῦ σὺ καὶ ὁ υἱὸς Ιεσσαι δοῦναί σε αὐτῷ ἄρτον καὶ ῥομφαίαν καὶ ἐρωτᾶν αὐτῷ διὰ τοῦ θεοῦ θέσθαι αὐτὸν ἐπ᾿ ἐμὲ εἰς ἐχθρὸν ὡς ἡ ἡμέρα αὕτη

And Saul said to him, 'Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, in giving him bread and a sword, and enquiring of God for him, to set him against me as an enemy, as it is this day?'

Saul's formal indictment (echoing Doeg's three charges)καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Σαουλ

Saul levels the indictment as a 'why' question (ἵνα τί … συνέθου), recasting Doeg's three reported acts (v. 10) as proofs of conspiracy: bread, sword, oracle. The infinitival chain (δοῦναι … ἐρωτᾶν … θέσθαι) lays out the alleged treasonous purpose, closing with the same formula as v. 8 (εἰς ἐχθρὸν ὡς ἡ ἡμέρα αὕτη).

Word-by-word analysis· 36 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: 'say'; introduces Saul's accusation.

αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object (Ahimelech)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (Ahimelech).

ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

ἵναwhyinterrogative particle (with τί: 'to what end / why')→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: in the idiom ἵνα τί ('why? / to what end?'), rendering לָמָּה; introduces the accusatory question.

τίwhat (end)Accusativeinterrogative pronoun (in idiom ἵνα τί)→ participant referenceτίς, τί: 'what'; with ἵνα forms the standard LXX 'why?' interrogative.

συνέθουyou conspiredAor Mid Indic 2 Sg · συντίθημιmain verb of the question→ verbal action or stateσυντίθημι (mid. συντίθεμαι): 'agree together / conspire / make a compact'; renders קָשַׁר; the middle here = 'conspire against'; Saul's central charge.

κατ᾿againstpreposition + genitive (hostile)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + gen.: 'against'; the hostile direction of the alleged plot.

ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of κατά→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; it serves as genitive object of κατά.

σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic, paired with the son of Jesse)→ participant referenceσύ: the emphatic pronoun pairs Ahimelech with David as co-conspirators.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

υἱὸςsonNominativesubject (coordinate: 'the son of Jesse')→ participant prominenceυἱός: again the dismissive 'son of Jesse' for David.

Ιεσσαιof Jesseindeclinable genitive (son of Jesse)→ participant identificationΙεσσαι: see v. 7.

δοῦναίto giveAor Act Inf · δίδωμιepexegetic infinitive (specifying the conspiracy: 'in giving')→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι: 'give'; the infinitive δοῦναι unfolds the first charge — giving David bread and sword.

σεyouAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive δοῦναι→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σε): the accusative subject of the infinitive — 'that you gave.'

ἄρτονbreadAccusativedirect object of δοῦναι→ object specificationἄρτος: 'bread / loaf'; renders לֶחֶם; the consecrated bread given David (21:6); the first charge, corresponding to ἐπισιτισμόν (v. 10).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ῥομφαίανswordAccusativedirect object of δοῦναι (coordinate with ἄρτον)→ object specificationῥομφαία: 'sword'; Goliath's sword (v. 10); the second charge.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing third charge)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐρωτᾶνto enquirePres Act Inf · ἐρωτάωepexegetic infinitive (third charge)→ verbal action or stateἐρωτάω: 'enquire (of God)'; the third charge, echoing v. 10; the present infinitive presents the oracular consultation.

αὐτῷfor himDativedative of advantage (on David's behalf)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat.): 'for him'; David as the beneficiary of the enquiry (cf. v. 10).

διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means of the oracle)→ spatial or relational framingδιά + gen.: 'through / by means of'.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive object of διά→ relational specificationθεός: 'God'; the source consulted in the oracle.

θέσθαιto setAor Mid Inf · τίθημιinfinitive of result/purpose (the aim of the conspiracy)→ verbal action or stateτίθημι (mid. θέσθαι): 'set / place'; with εἰς ἐχθρόν, 'to set (David) up as an enemy'; states the alleged treasonous aim.

αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative object of θέσθαι (David)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of θέσθαι (David).

ἐπ᾿againstpreposition + accusative (hostile)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile).

εἰςaspreposition + accusative (predicative: 'as an enemy')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + acc.: predicative 'as'; Hebraism (לְ), cf. v. 8.

ἐχθρὸνenemyAccusativepredicate accusative (David cast as enemy)→ object specificationἐχθρός: 'enemy'; repeats the charge of v. 8.

ὡςascomparative particle (temporal comparison)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as'; in ὡς ἡ ἡμέρα αὕτη.

ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἡμέραdayNominativesubject of implied 'is' (idiom 'as at this day')→ participant prominenceἡμέρα: 'day'; the formula ὡς ἡ ἡμέρα αὕτη (cf. v. 8), asserting the present reality of the supposed enmity.

αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρα)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; deictic 'this very day.'

καὶ ἀπεκρίθη τῷ βασιλεῖ καὶ εἶπεν καὶ τίς ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς δούλοις σου ὡς Δαυιδ πιστὸς καὶ γαμβρὸς τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ ἄρχων παντὸς παραγγέλματός σου καὶ ἔνδοξος ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ σου

And he answered the king and said, 'And who among all your servants is like David — faithful, and the king's son-in-law, and captain of all your bodyguard, and honored in your house?'

Ahimelech's defense: David's unimpeachable loyaltyκαὶ ἀπεκρίθη τῷ βασιλεῖ

Ahimelech defends himself by defending David: a rhetorical question (τίς … ὡς Δαυιδ;) expecting the answer 'no one', supported by a fourfold catalogue of David's standing — faithful, royal son-in-law, captain of the guard, honored in the house. Far from a traitor, David is the model loyal servant.

Word-by-word analysis· 31 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀπεκρίθηansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (Ahimelech's reply)→ verbal action or stateἀποκρίνομαι (aor. pass. dep.): 'answer / reply'; renders עָנָה; introduces Ahimelech's defense.

τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλεῖkingDativedative indirect object (the one answered)→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; Saul, to whom Ahimelech replies.

καὶandnarrative conjunction (resumptive)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (resumptive speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: the resumptive καὶ εἶπεν after ἀπεκρίθη is a Hebraizing redundancy.

καὶand / nowdiscourse marker (opening the rebuttal)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here opening a rhetorical retort, 'and (who…)?'; renders the Hebrew waw introducing the rejoinder.

τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject of implied 'is')→ participant referenceτίς: 'who?'; the rhetorical question expects the answer 'no one is as loyal as David.'

ἐνamongpreposition + dative (partitive sphere)→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: 'among'; locates David within the body of Saul's servants.

πᾶσινallDativeattributive adjective (with δούλοις)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole body of royal servants, against whom David is measured and found supreme in loyalty.

τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

δούλοιςservantsDativedative object of ἐν (the body of servants)→ sphere or referenceδοῦλος: 'servant / slave'; renders עֶבֶד; Ahimelech pointedly calls David Saul's own δοῦλος — a loyal subject, not a rebel.

σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.

ὡςlike / ascomparative particle (introducing the standard of comparison)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / like'; sets David as the benchmark of loyalty.

ΔαυιδDavidindeclinable (object of comparison)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: Ahimelech, unlike Saul and Doeg, names David — affirming his honor.

πιστὸςfaithfulNominativepredicate adjective (first of fourfold catalogue)→ participant prominenceπιστός: 'faithful / trustworthy'; renders נֶאֱמָן; the first and governing virtue of David's standing — his proven fidelity.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

γαμβρὸςson-in-lawNominativepredicate nominative (second of catalogue)→ participant prominenceγαμβρός: 'son-in-law / kinsman by marriage'; David married Saul's daughter Michal (18:27); his kinship to the king refutes the charge of enmity.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of relationship (the king's son-in-law)→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; Saul himself, whose daughter David wed.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἄρχωνcommander / captainNominativepredicate nominative (third of catalogue)→ participant prominenceἄρχων: 'ruler / commander / officer'; substantival; renders שַׂר; David's command of Saul's bodyguard (cf. 22:14 MT, 'captain over your guard') — a position of supreme royal trust.

παντὸςall / everyGenitiveattributive adjective (with παραγγέλματος)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all'; David commands the whole of the king's guard/command.

παραγγέλματόςcommand / bodyguardGenitivegenitive object of ἄρχων (his sphere of command)→ relational specificationπαράγγελμα: 'command / order / charge'; here the body under David's command (the royal guard or the king's standing orders); the LXX renders the Hebrew מִשְׁמַעַת ('obedient retinue / bodyguard').

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔνδοξοςhonored / held in honorNominativepredicate adjective (fourth of catalogue)→ participant prominenceἔνδοξος: 'honored / glorious / held in esteem'; renders נִכְבָּד; David's standing in the royal household — the climax of the loyalty-catalogue.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere).

τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

οἴκῳhouse(hold)Dativedative of place (in your household)→ sphere or referenceοἶκος: 'house / household'; renders בַּיִת; the royal household where David is honored.

ἦ σήμερον ἦργμαι ἐρωτᾶν αὐτῷ διὰ τοῦ θεοῦ μηδαμῶς μὴ δότω ὁ βασιλεὺς κατὰ τοῦ δούλου αὐτοῦ λόγον καὶ ἐφ᾿ ὅλον τὸν οἶκον τοῦ πατρός μου ὅτι οὐκ ᾔδει ὁ δοῦλος ὁ σὸς ἐν πᾶσιν τούτοις ῥῆμα μικρὸν ἢ μέγα

'Is it today that I have begun to enquire of God for him? By no means! Let not the king lay a charge against his servant, or against all the house of my father; for your servant knew nothing of all this, small or great.'

Ahimelech's plea of innocence (climax of the defense)ἦ σήμερον ἦργμαι

Ahimelech argues that enquiring for David was nothing new — a routine service to a trusted royal officer, not treason. The strong denial μηδαμῶς ('by no means!') and the deprecatory imperative μὴ δότω … λόγον ('let not the king impute a charge') plead for his house's innocence; he closes with total ignorance of any plot (οὐκ ᾔδει … μικρὸν ἢ μέγα).

Word-by-word analysis· 40 words

ἦis it (that)?interrogative particle (introducing the question)→ discourse linkage or contrastἦ: interrogative particle introducing a (rhetorical) question, 'is it indeed…?'; here expecting the answer 'no — this was nothing new.'

σήμερονtodayadverb of time (emphatic: 'today / only now')→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; the point is that enquiring for David was not a novel act begun 'today' but a customary service.

ἦργμαιhave I begunPerf Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἄρχωmain verb of the question (perfect)→ verbal action or stateἄρχω (mid. ἄρχομαι, perf. ἦργμαι): 'begin'; 'have I (only) today begun to enquire for him?' — i.e. this was his established, longstanding practice.

ἐρωτᾶνto enquirePres Act Inf · ἐρωτάωcomplementary infinitive (with ἦργμαι)→ verbal action or stateἐρωτάω: 'enquire (of God)'; the same oracular sense as vv. 10, 13; Ahimelech frames it as routine priestly service.

αὐτῷfor himDativedative of advantage (for David)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat.): 'for him'; David as beneficiary.

διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means of the oracle)→ spatial or relational framingδιὰ: meaning 'through'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (means of the oracle).

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive object of διά→ relational specificationθεός: 'God'; the divine source of the oracle.

μηδαμῶςby no meansadverb of strong denial (free-standing)→ clausal contributionμηδαμῶς: 'by no means / not at all'; an emphatic disclaimer, repudiating the imputation of conspiracy (cf. חָלִילָה, 'far be it').

μὴnotnegative particle (with prohibitive imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the negative of prohibition; with δότω forms a deprecation, 'let not the king…'

δότωlet him lay / imputeAor Act Impv 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (deprecatory third-person imperative)→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι: 'give / lay / impute'; in δότω … λόγον, 'lay a charge / impute a matter'; Ahimelech begs the king not to impute guilt to his house.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject of δότω→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; Ahimelech addresses Saul deferentially in the third person.

κατὰagainstpreposition + genitive (charge against)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + gen.: 'against'; the direction of the deprecated charge.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

δούλουservantGenitivegenitive object of κατά (Ahimelech of himself)→ relational specificationδοῦλος: 'servant'; Ahimelech humbly calls himself the king's δοῦλος, distancing himself from any disloyalty.

αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the king's servant)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the king's servant).

λόγονcharge / wordAccusativedirect object of δότω (the imputed accusation)→ object specificationλόγος: 'word / matter / charge'; here a judicial accusation that Ahimelech begs the king not to lay.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (extending the deprecation)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐφ᾿upon / againstpreposition + accusative (charge against)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'upon / against'; extends the plea to the whole priestly house.

ὅλονwholeAccusativeattributive adjective (with οἶκον)→ object specificationὅλος: 'whole / entire'; Ahimelech pleads for his entire family — tragically, the very 'whole house' Saul will destroy (vv. 16, 19).

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

οἶκονhouseAccusativeaccusative object of ἐφ᾿ (the father's house)→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house / household'; the priestly clan of Nob.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πατρόςfatherGenitivegenitive of relationship (my father's house)→ relational specificationπατήρ: 'father'; Ahitub's house, the whole priestly family.

ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (ground of the plea)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'for / because'; introduces the ground — total ignorance of any plot.

οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ᾔδειknewPlpf Act Indic 3 Sg · οἶδαmain verb (Ahimelech's ignorance)→ verbal action or stateοἶδα (plpf. ᾔδει, with past sense 'knew'): 'know'; renders יָדַע; Ahimelech protests that 'your servant knew nothing' of any conspiracy.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

δοῦλοςservantNominativesubject of ᾔδει (Ahimelech)→ participant prominenceδοῦλος: 'servant'; the self-deprecating ὁ δοῦλος ὁ σός ('your servant') reaffirms loyalty.

ὁtheNominativearticle (attributive with σός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

σὸςyour (own)Nominativepossessive adjective (modifying δοῦλος)→ participant prominenceσός: possessive 'your'; ὁ δοῦλος ὁ σός = 'your own servant', stressing fidelity to the king.

ἐνin / ofpreposition + dative (sphere of knowledge)→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: 'in / concerning'; the sphere of the disclaimed knowledge — 'in all these matters.'

πᾶσινallDativeattributive adjective (with τούτοις)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all'; the totality of the alleged affair.

τούτοιςthese thingsDativedemonstrative pronoun (the whole matter)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: 'these'; the supposed conspiracy in its entirety.

ῥῆμαthing / matterAccusativedirect object of ᾔδει (the thing not known)→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / thing / matter'; renders דָּבָר; in the merism ῥῆμα μικρὸν ἢ μέγα ('matter small or great') it means 'nothing whatever.'

μικρὸνsmallAccusativeattributive adjective (first pole of merism)→ object specificationμικρός: 'small / little'; renders קָטֹן; with μέγα forms a merism for 'anything at all.'

ἢordisjunctive particle (within merism)→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or'; joins the poles of the merism.

μέγαgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (second pole of merism)→ object specificationμέγας: 'great'; renders גָּדוֹל; 'small or great' = nothing whatsoever; Ahimelech's comprehensive denial.

καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Σαουλ θανάτῳ ἀποθανῇ Αβιμελεχ σὺ καὶ πᾶς ὁ οἶκος τοῦ πατρός σου

And the king said, 'Saul: you shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father's house.'

Saul's death-verdict, ignoring the defenseκαὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Σαουλ

Saul brushes aside Ahimelech's plea and pronounces sentence in the emphatic cognate-dative formula θανάτῳ ἀποθανῇ ('you shall surely die'), extending it to 'all your father's house.' The verdict ironically echoes the very house Ahimelech sought to shield (v. 15).

Word-by-word analysis· 16 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (pronouncement of sentence)→ participant referenceλέγω: 'say'; introduces Saul's verdict.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (Saul by office)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; Saul acting in judicial capacity.

ΣαουλSaulnominative in apposition to βασιλεύς (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: in apposition, 'the king Saul.'

θανάτῳby deathDativecognate dative (Hebraism intensifying ἀποθανῇ)→ sphere or referenceθάνατος: 'death'; the cognate dative θανάτῳ ἀποθανῇ renders the Hebrew emphatic infinitive absolute מוֹת תָּמוּת ('you shall surely die'); the standard LXX device for the construction (cf. Gen 2:17).

ἀποθανῇyou shall dieFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (sentence of death)→ verbal action or stateἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the future ἀποθανῇ with cognate θανάτῳ pronounces certain death — Saul's irrevocable verdict on Ahimelech.

ΑβιμελεχAhimelechvocative of address (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβιμελεχ: see v. 9; the condemned priest, addressed directly.

σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic, with the verb)→ participant referenceσύ: the emphatic pronoun, 'you' — Ahimelech personally — heads the condemned.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (with οἶκος)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; extends the death-sentence to the entire priestly house.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

οἶκοςhouse(hold)Nominativesubject (coordinate with σύ)→ participant prominenceοἶκος: 'house / household'; the whole family condemned with Ahimelech — the slaughter executed in vv. 18–19.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πατρόςfatherGenitivegenitive of relationship (your father's house)→ relational specificationπατήρ: 'father'; Ahitub's house, condemned in its entirety.

καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῖς παρατρέχουσιν τοῖς ἐφεστηκόσιν ἐπ᾿ αὐτόν προσαγάγετε καὶ θανατοῦτε τοὺς ἱερεῖς τοῦ κυρίου ὅτι ἡ χεὶρ αὐτῶν μετὰ Δαυιδ καὶ ὅτι ἔγνωσαν ὅτι φεύγει αὐτός καὶ οὐκ ἀπεκάλυψαν τὸ ὠτίον μου καὶ οὐκ ἐβουλήθησαν οἱ παῖδες τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπενεγκεῖν τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῶν ἀπαντῆσαι εἰς τοὺς ἱερεῖς κυρίου

And the king said to the runners who were standing by him, 'Bring forward and put to death the priests of the LORD, because their hand is with David, and because they knew that he was fleeing and did not disclose it to my ear.' But the servants of the king were not willing to lift their hands to fall upon the priests of the LORD.

The execution order and the guards' refusalκαὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῖς παρατρέχουσιν

Saul orders his runners (παρατρέχοντες, the royal guard) to execute the priests, justifying it by alleged complicity ('their hand is with David') and concealment. The narrator's closing clause — οὐκ ἐβουλήθησαν … ἐπενεγκεῖν τὰς χεῖρας ('they were not willing to lift their hands') — marks the guards' conscientious refusal to slay the LORD's priests, isolating Doeg's atrocity in v. 18. The phrase τοὺς ἱερεῖς (τοῦ) κυρίου frames the killing as sacrilege against the LORD himself.

Word-by-word analysis· 51 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (issuing the order)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: 'say'; introduces Saul's execution-order.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; Saul commanding his guard.

τοῖςthe (ones)Dativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

παρατρέχουσινrunners / guardsPres Act Part Dat Pl Masc · παρατρέχωsubstantival participle (the royal runners, addressees)→ verbal action or stateπαρατρέχω: 'run alongside'; the substantival οἱ παρατρέχοντες ('the runners') is the LXX term for the royal bodyguard/couriers (רָצִים), who attended and protected the king.

τοῖςthe (ones)Dativearticle (attributive with second participle)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἐφεστηκόσινstanding byPerf Act Part Dat Pl Masc · ἐφίστημιattributive participle (modifying παρατρέχουσιν)→ verbal action or stateἐφίστημι (perf. part., intrans.): 'stand by / be posted'; the perfect describes the guards' fixed attendance about the king.

ἐπ᾿by / overpreposition + accusative (position about him)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: here of attendant position, 'about / over him.'

αὐτόνhimAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the king)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί (the king).

προσαγάγετεbring forwardAor Act Impv 2 Pl · προσάγωmain verb (command)→ verbal action or stateπροσάγω: 'bring near / lead forward'; renders נָגַשׁ; the first imperative orders the guards to seize the priests for execution.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

θανατοῦτεput to deathPres Act Impv 2 Pl · θανατόωmain verb (command)→ verbal action or stateθανατόω: 'put to death / kill'; renders הֵמִית; the brutal command to slay the LORD's priests.

τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἱερεῖςpriestsAccusativedirect object of θανατοῦτε→ object specificationἱερεύς: 'priest'; the phrase 'priests of the LORD' makes Saul's order sacrilege against God himself.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession (priests of the LORD)→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; 'the priests of the LORD' (τοῦ κυρίου) underscores that Saul commands the murder of God's own ministers — a defining act of his apostasy.

ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (first ground)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces Saul's first justification.

ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

χεὶρhandNominativesubject of implied 'is' ('their hand is with David')→ participant prominenceχείρ: 'hand'; the idiom ἡ χεὶρ αὐτῶν μετὰ Δαυιδ ('their hand is with David') = they support/side with David; renders יָד עִם.

αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.

μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (alliance)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + gen.: 'with'; expresses the alleged alliance with David.

ΔαυιδDavidindeclinable object of μετά→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: David, the supposed beneficiary of the priests' loyalty.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (second ground)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (second ground)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; second justification — the priests' alleged concealment.

ἔγνωσανthey knewAor Act Indic 3 Pl · γινώσκωverb of the causal clause→ verbal action or stateγινώσκω: 'know'; Saul charges the priests with knowing of David's flight and not reporting it.

ὅτιthatconjunction (object clause of ἔγνωσαν)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the content of their alleged knowledge.

φεύγειhe is fleeingPres Act Indic 3 Sg · φεύγωverb of object clause (historic/vivid present)→ verbal action or stateφεύγω: 'flee'; renders בָּרַח; the present depicts David's fugitive state as ongoing.

αὐτόςheNominativesubject (emphatic, David)→ participant prominenceαὐτός: emphatic 'he' — David himself.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀπεκάλυψανthey disclosedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποκαλύπτωverb (the alleged failure to inform)→ verbal action or stateἀποκαλύπτω: 'uncover / disclose'; in ἀπεκάλυψαν τὸ ὠτίον μου ('disclosed to my ear', cf. v. 8) the charge is that they failed to inform Saul.

τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὠτίονearAccusativedirect object (Hebraism: 'disclose to the ear')→ object specificationὠτίον: 'ear'; the 'uncover the ear' idiom (cf. v. 8) = inform.

καὶbutnarrative conjunction (adversative: the guards' refusal)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative in force, introducing the guards' refusal that thwarts the order.

οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἐβουλήθησανwere willingAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · βούλομαιmain verb (the guards' refusal)→ verbal action or stateβούλομαι (aor. pass. dep.): 'be willing / wish'; οὐκ ἐβουλήθησαν ('they were unwilling') marks the guards' conscientious refusal to kill the LORD's priests — a quiet act of fear of God amid royal sacrilege.

οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

παῖδεςservantsNominativesubject of ἐβουλήθησαν→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant / attendant'; the king's guards, who refuse the order.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of relationship (the king's servants)→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; whose servants nonetheless will not obey this command.

ἐπενεγκεῖνto lift / layAor Act Inf · ἐπιφέρωcomplementary infinitive (with ἐβουλήθησαν)→ verbal action or stateἐπιφέρω: 'bring upon / lay on'; in ἐπενεγκεῖν τὰς χεῖρας ('to lay/lift their hands') = to do violence; the act the guards refuse.

τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

χεῖραςhandsAccusativedirect object of ἐπενεγκεῖν→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; 'lay hands on' = attack; idiom for violence.

ἀπαντῆσαιto fall uponAor Act Inf · ἀπαντάωinfinitive of result/purpose (epexegetic of ἐπενεγκεῖν)→ verbal action or stateἀπαντάω: 'meet / encounter'; here in a hostile sense, 'fall upon / attack'; specifies the lethal assault the guards will not commit against the priests.

εἰςagainst / uponpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + acc.: here hostile, 'against / upon.'

τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἱερεῖςpriestsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationἱερεύς: 'priest'; again 'priests of the LORD', whom the guards will not touch.

κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession (priests of the LORD)→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the repetition 'priests of the LORD' underlines the sacrilegious nature of the order the guards refuse.

καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τῷ Δωηκ ἐπιστρέφου σὺ καὶ ἀπάντα εἰς τοὺς ἱερεῖς καὶ ἐπεστράφη Δωηκ ὁ Σύρος καὶ ἐθανάτωσεν τοὺς ἱερεῖς κυρίου ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ τριακοσίους καὶ πέντε ἄνδρας πάντας αἴροντας εφουδ

And the king said to Doeg, 'Turn, you, and fall upon the priests.' And Doeg the Syrian turned and put to death the priests of the LORD on that day — three hundred and five men, all who wore the ephod.

Doeg carries out the massacre the guards refusedκαὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τῷ Δωηκ

Saul turns to the foreigner Doeg, who obeys without scruple. The command ἐπιστρέφου … ἀπάντα is answered by ἐπεστράφη … ἐθανάτωσεν: Doeg slaughters the priests, the LXX numbering them three hundred and five (Rahlfs τριακοσίους καὶ πέντε; MT eighty-five). The descriptor αἴροντας εφουδ ('wearing the ephod') marks them all as officiating priests.

Word-by-word analysis· 34 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (issuing the order to Doeg)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: 'say'; introduces Saul's order to Doeg after the guards' refusal.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; Saul, now turning to a willing executioner.

τῷthe / toDativearticle (with Δωηκ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΔωηκDoegindeclinable dative (addressee, articular)→ participant identificationΔωηκ: see v. 9; the willing executioner, governed by the article τῷ.

ἐπιστρέφουturnPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (command)→ verbal action or stateἐπιστρέφω (mid.): 'turn / turn round'; the command ἐπιστρέφου σύ ('turn, you') directs Doeg to the deed the guards declined.

σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic: 'you', Doeg)→ participant referenceσύ: emphatic — 'you (do it)', singling out Doeg.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀπάνταfall uponPres Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀπαντάωmain verb (command)→ verbal action or stateἀπαντάω: 'meet / fall upon'; here hostile, 'attack'; the same verb the guards refused (ἀπαντῆσαι, v. 17), now commanded of Doeg.

εἰςuponpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + acc.: hostile, 'upon / against.'

τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἱερεῖςpriestsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationἱερεύς: 'priest'; the victims of the massacre.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐπεστράφηturnedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (Doeg's compliance)→ verbal action or stateἐπιστρέφω (aor. pass.): 'turn'; Doeg turns to obey — the deed answers the command word for word.

ΔωηκDoegsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔωηκ: the executioner.

ὁtheNominativearticle (with appositive Σύρος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

Σύροςthe SyrianNominativenominative in apposition to Δωηκ→ participant prominenceΣύρος: see v. 9; the foreigner does what Israelite guards would not.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐθανάτωσενput to deathAor Act Indic 3 Sg · θανατόωmain verb (the slaughter)→ verbal action or stateθανατόω: 'put to death / kill'; the same verb as the order (θανατοῦτε, v. 17); Doeg executes the priests.

τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἱερεῖςpriestsAccusativedirect object of ἐθανάτωσεν→ object specificationἱερεύς: 'priest'; 'priests of the LORD' — the enormity of the sacrilege.

κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession (priests of the LORD)→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the slain are the LORD's own priests, deepening the horror of the act.

ἐνin / onpreposition + dative (time)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (time).

τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (on that day)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; the day of the massacre, fixed in memory (cf. v. 22).

ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the fateful day David later recalls (v. 22).

τριακοσίουςthree hundredAccusativenumeral (in apposition to the implied count of ἄνδρας)→ object specificationτριακόσιοι: 'three hundred'; the LXX (Rahlfs) reads τριακοσίους καὶ πέντε ('305'), against the MT's eighty-five (חֲמִשָּׁה וּשְׁמֹנִים); a numerical text-variant.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the numeral)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

πέντεfiveAccusativenumeral (indeclinable, with τριακοσίους)→ measure or countπέντε: 'five'; indeclinable; completes the LXX figure of 305 slain priests.

ἄνδραςmenAccusativeaccusative in apposition (the slain)→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; the priests counted as 'men' — the total of the slain.

πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjective (with the participle)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; every one of them an officiating priest.

αἴρονταςwearing / bearingPres Act Part Acc Pl Masc · αἴρωattributive participle (modifying ἄνδρας: 'who wore the ephod')→ verbal action or stateαἴρω: 'lift / bear / carry'; here 'bear / wear' — οἱ αἴροντες εφουδ ('those who wore the ephod') marks all the slain as functioning priests (cf. the linen ephod, 2:18); renders נֹשֵׂא אֵפוֹד.

εφουδephodindeclinable object of αἴροντας (transliterated cultic term)→ clausal contributionεφουδ: transliteration of Hebrew אֵפוֹד ('ephod'), the priestly vestment; indeclinable in the LXX; wearing it identifies the slain as ordained priests.

καὶ τὴν Νομβα τὴν πόλιν τῶν ἱερέων ἐπάταξεν ἐν στόματι ῥομφαίας ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς ἕως γυναικός ἀπὸ νηπίου ἕως θηλάζοντος καὶ μόσχου καὶ ὄνου καὶ προβάτου

And Nob, the city of the priests, he struck with the edge of the sword — from man to woman, from infant to suckling, and ox and donkey and sheep.

Total destruction of the priestly city (climax of section C)καὶ τὴν Νομβα

The massacre widens from the priests to the whole city. The idiom ἐν στόματι ῥομφαίας ('with the edge/mouth of the sword') and the double merism ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς ἕως γυναικός / ἀπὸ νηπίου ἕως θηλάζοντος, capped by the animals, depict the herem-like total devastation of Nob — Saul wreaks on a city of priests the kind of utter destruction he failed to carry out against Amalek (ch. 15).

Word-by-word analysis· 25 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with Νομβα, fronted object)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΝομβαNobindeclinable accusative (fronted direct object of ἐπάταξεν)→ participant identificationΝομβα: see v. 9; here the whole city, articular and fronted for emphasis.

τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with appositive πόλιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Νομβα→ object specificationπόλις: 'city'; renders עִיר; the apposition 'the city of the priests' stresses that an entire sacred community is destroyed.

τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἱερέωνpriestsGenitivegenitive of relationship (city of the priests)→ relational specificationἱερεύς: 'priest'; Nob was a priestly settlement; its destruction is the annihilation of a whole order.

ἐπάταξενhe struckAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb (the destruction)→ verbal action or stateπατάσσω: 'strike / smite / slay'; renders הִכָּה; the standard verb of total military destruction; subject is Doeg (or Saul through him).

ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrument: Hebraism)→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: instrumental, 'with'; in the Hebraism ἐν στόματι ῥομφαίας ('with the edge of the sword').

στόματιedge / mouthDativedative of instrument (idiom: 'edge of the sword')→ sphere or referenceστόμα: 'mouth'; in ἐν στόματι ῥομφαίας ('by the mouth/edge of the sword') it renders לְפִי חֶרֶב ('by the edge of the sword'), a Hebraism for total slaughter.

ῥομφαίαςof the swordGenitivegenitive (with στόματι: 'edge of the sword')→ relational specificationῥομφαία: 'sword'; the instrument of the city's destruction.

ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (start of first merism)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: in the merism ἀπό … ἕως ('from … to'), marking total scope.

ἀνδρὸςmanGenitivegenitive of source (first pole of merism)→ relational specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; the first pole — adult male.

ἕωςtopreposition + genitive (end of first merism)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until / to'; the end-point of the merism.

γυναικόςwomanGenitivegenitive (end-point of first merism)→ relational specificationγυνή: 'woman'; the second pole — 'from man to woman' = the whole adult population.

ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (start of second merism)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: opens the second merism, of the very young.

νηπίουinfant / childGenitivegenitive of source (first pole of second merism)→ relational specificationνήπιος: 'infant / little child'; renders עוֹלֵל; the first pole of the second merism — the young child.

ἕωςtopreposition + genitive (end of second merism)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'to'; the end-point of the second merism.

θηλάζοντοςsuckling / nursing infantPres Act Part Gen Sg Masc · θηλάζωsubstantival participle (genitive: 'nursing infant', second pole)→ verbal action or stateθηλάζω: 'suck / nurse'; the substantival participle ὁ θηλάζων ('the suckling') renders יוֹנֵק; 'from infant to suckling' extends the slaughter to the youngest — total destruction.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (extending to animals)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

μόσχουox / calfGenitivegenitive (object of the destruction, animals)→ relational specificationμόσχος: 'calf / young ox'; renders שׁוֹר; the destruction extends to the livestock — herem-like totality.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ὄνουdonkeyGenitivegenitive (coordinate animal)→ relational specificationὄνος: 'donkey / ass'; renders חֲמוֹר; another category of livestock destroyed.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

προβάτουsheepGenitivegenitive (final coordinate animal)→ relational specificationπρόβατον: 'sheep'; renders שֶׂה / צֹאן; the last category — the total destruction of Nob, man and beast alike, mirrors the herem Saul withheld from Amalek (ch. 15).

καὶ διασῴζεται υἱὸς εἷς τῷ Αβιμελεχ υἱῷ Αχιτωβ καὶ ὄνομα αὐτῷ Αβιαθαρ καὶ ἔφυγεν ὀπίσω Δαυιδ

And one son of Ahimelech son of Ahitub escaped, and his name was Abiathar; and he fled after David.

The lone survivor escapes to David (opens section D)καὶ διασῴζεται

The historic present διασῴζεται ('escapes', echoing David's own διεσώθη in v. 1) marks the single survivor: Abiathar, who flees to David. The verbal echo binds the chapter's two deliverances and sets up the surviving Elide priestly line that will serve David.

Word-by-word analysis· 16 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

διασῴζεταιescapesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · διασῴζωmain verb (historic present: the escape)→ verbal action or stateδιασῴζω (mid./pass.): 'be brought safely through / escape'; the historic present διασῴζεται deliberately echoes David's διεσώθη (v. 1), framing Abiathar's deliverance as a counterpart to David's.

υἱὸςsonNominativesubject→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the lone surviving son of Ahimelech.

εἷςoneNominativenumeral attributive (modifying υἱός: 'one son')→ measure or countεἷς: 'one'; emphasizes that only a single son survived the slaughter of the whole house.

τῷthe / toDativearticle (with Αβιμελεχ, dative of relationship)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΑβιμελεχAhimelechindeclinable dative of relationship ('a son to/of Ahimelech')→ participant identificationΑβιμελεχ: see v. 9; the slain high priest, here named as father of the survivor.

υἱῷsonDativedative in apposition to Αβιμελεχ (son of Ahitub)→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; identifies Ahimelech as son of Ahitub.

Αχιτωβof Ahitubindeclinable genitive (son of Ahitub)→ participant identificationΑχιτωβ: see v. 9.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ὄνομαnameNominativesubject of nominal clause ('his name was Abiathar')→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; the formula ὄνομα αὐτῷ ('his name was…') renders שְׁמוֹ, introducing the survivor's name.

αὐτῷto him / hisDativedative of possession ('the name to him')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat.): dative of possession in the naming-formula.

ΑβιαθαρAbiatharindeclinable predicate (the survivor's name)→ participant identificationΑβιαθαρ: transliteration of Hebrew אֶבְיָתָר; indeclinable; the surviving priest who becomes David's loyal companion and priest (23:6; 30:7) until Solomon's reign (1 Kgs 2:26–27).

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔφυγενfledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · φεύγωmain verb (the flight)→ verbal action or stateφεύγω: 'flee'; renders בָּרַח; Abiathar escapes to David, transferring the surviving priesthood from Saul's reach to David's protection.

ὀπίσωafterpreposition/adverb + genitive (direction: 'after David')→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'after / behind'; with the genitive, 'after David'; renders אַחֲרֵי; Abiathar follows David, attaching himself to him.

ΔαυιδDavidindeclinable genitive (object of ὀπίσω)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: David, to whom the surviving priest flees for refuge.

καὶ ἀπήγγειλεν Αβιαθαρ τῷ Δαυιδ ὅτι ἐθανάτωσεν Σαουλ πάντας τοὺς ἱερεῖς τοῦ κυρίου

And Abiathar reported to David that Saul had put to death all the priests of the LORD.

Abiathar's report of the massacreκαὶ ἀπήγγειλεν Αβιαθαρ

Abiathar's report (ἀπήγγειλεν) delivers the news of the massacre to David, again with the loaded phrase 'all the priests of the LORD' (πάντας τοὺς ἱερεῖς τοῦ κυρίου), framing the crime as comprehensive sacrilege and prompting David's confession in v. 22.

Word-by-word analysis· 13 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀπήγγειλενreportedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (the report)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / announce / bring word'; renders נָגַד (Hiphil); Abiathar brings David word of the slaughter.

ΑβιαθαρAbiatharsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβιαθαρ: see v. 20; the surviving priest, now David's informant.

τῷthe / toDativearticle (with Δαυιδ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΔαυιδDavidindeclinable dative (recipient of the report)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: David, to whom Abiathar reports.

ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing object clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the content of the report.

ἐθανάτωσενhad put to deathAor Act Indic 3 Sg · θανατόωverb of object clause→ verbal action or stateθανατόω: 'put to death'; the same verb as vv. 17–18; here in the report, attributing the massacre to Saul (its instigator), though Doeg wielded the sword.

ΣαουλSaulsubject of the object clause (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: Saul, named as the author of the slaughter.

πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἱερεῖς)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; underscores the totality of the slaughter of the priestly house.

τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἱερεῖςpriestsAccusativedirect object of ἐθανάτωσεν→ object specificationἱερεύς: 'priest'; 'all the priests of the LORD' — the enormity that David will own in v. 22.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession (priests of the LORD)→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; 'the priests of the LORD' once more brands the deed as sacrilege against God himself.

καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ τῷ Αβιαθαρ ἤιδειν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ὅτι Δωηκ ὁ Σύρος ὅτι ἀπαγγέλλων ἀπαγγελεῖ τῷ Σαουλ ἐγώ εἰμι αἴτιος τῶν ψυχῶν οἴκου τοῦ πατρός σου

And David said to Abiathar, 'I knew on that day, because Doeg the Syrian was there, that he would surely report to Saul. I am responsible for the lives of your father's house.'

David's confession of responsibilityκαὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ

David's foreknowledge (ἤιδειν … ὅτι Δωηκ) becomes the ground of his guilt-acceptance. The Hebraizing infinitive-absolute construction ἀπαγγέλλων ἀπαγγελεῖ ('he will surely report') conveys his certainty about Doeg. The climactic ἐγώ εἰμι αἴτιος ('I am the cause/guilty one') is David's moral ownership of the priests' deaths — a striking confession of culpability.

Word-by-word analysis· 28 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: 'say'; introduces David's confession.

ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: David, who now owns responsibility for the disaster.

τῷthe / toDativearticle (with Αβιαθαρ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΑβιαθαρAbiatharindeclinable dative (addressee)→ participant identificationΑβιαθαρ: see v. 20; the survivor whom David now addresses.

ἤιδεινI knewPlpf Act Indic 1 Sg · οἶδαmain verb (David's prior knowledge)→ verbal action or stateοἶδα (plpf. ᾔδειν/ἤιδειν, with past sense 'I knew'): 'know'; David admits he foresaw, on the day at Nob, that Doeg's presence spelled danger.

ἐνonpreposition + dative (time)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (time).

τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (on that day)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; the day David met Doeg at Nob (cf. 21:7; 22:18).

ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; pointing back to the fateful day at Nob.

ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (anacoluthic: 'because Doeg was there')→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: here causal, 'because (Doeg was there)'; the sentence is slightly broken (anacoluthon), resumed by the second ὅτι.

ΔωηκDoegsubject of an implied clause ('Doeg was there')→ participant identificationΔωηκ: see v. 9; his presence at Nob is what David recognized as ominous.

ὁtheNominativearticle (with appositive Σύρος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

Σύροςthe SyrianNominativenominative in apposition to Δωηκ→ participant prominenceΣύρος: see v. 9; the informer.

ὅτιthatconjunction (resumptive object clause of ἤιδειν)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: resumptive 'that'; after the parenthetical naming of Doeg, picks up the content David knew.

ἀπαγγέλλωνsurely (reporting)Pres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · ἀπαγγέλλωparticiple intensifying the finite verb (Hebraism: infinitive-absolute construction)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: 'report'; the cognate participle + finite verb (ἀπαγγέλλων ἀπαγγελεῖ) renders the Hebrew emphatic infinitive absolute הַגֵּד יַגִּיד ('he will surely tell'), expressing David's certainty that Doeg would inform Saul.

ἀπαγγελεῖwill reportFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb of the object clause (with cognate participle)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω: the finite future with the cognate participle = 'he will certainly report'; David knew Doeg would betray the priests to Saul.

τῷthe / toDativearticle (with Σαουλ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΣαουλSaulindeclinable dative (recipient of the report)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: Saul, to whom Doeg would report.

ἐγώINominativesubject (emphatic, heading the confession)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic 'I' opens David's confession of personal responsibility.

εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (predicate: 'I am responsible')→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: 'be'; the present ἐγώ εἰμι αἴτιος is David's solemn self-indictment.

αἴτιοςresponsible / the causeNominativepredicate adjective (with εἰμι)→ participant prominenceαἴτιος: 'responsible / culpable / the cause'; David accepts moral guilt for the priests' deaths — an extraordinary confession that contrasts his conscience with Saul's.

τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ψυχῶνlives / soulsGenitivegenitive (with αἴτιος: 'responsible for the lives')→ relational specificationψυχή: 'soul / life'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; 'responsible for the lives of your father's house' — David owns the bloodguilt for the slain priests.

οἴκουhouseGenitivegenitive of relationship (lives of the house)→ relational specificationοἶκος: 'house / household'; the priestly family of Ahitub, destroyed because of David's visit.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πατρόςfatherGenitivegenitive of relationship (your father's house)→ relational specificationπατήρ: 'father'; Ahimelech (and Ahitub), Abiathar's house.

σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (Abiathar's father's house)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Abiathar's father's house).

κάθου μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ μὴ φοβοῦ ὅτι οὗ ἐὰν ζητῶ τῇ ψυχῇ μου τόπον ζητήσω καὶ τῇ ψυχῇ σου ὅτι πεφύλαξαι σὺ παρ᾿ ἐμοί

'Stay with me; do not fear, for wherever I seek a place for my life, I will seek it also for your life; for you will be kept safe with me.'

David's pledge of protection (closes the chapter)κάθου μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ

David turns guilt into guarantee: an imperative of refuge (κάθου … μὴ φοβοῦ) backed by a pledge that Abiathar's safety is bound to his own ('whatever place I seek for my life, I will seek for yours'). The closing perfect πεφύλαξαι ('you are/will be kept safe') assures the surviving priest of David's lifelong protection — the priesthood now shelters under the future king.

Word-by-word analysis· 23 words

κάθουstayPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · κάθημαιmain verb (invitation to refuge)→ verbal action or stateκάθημαι: 'sit / stay / dwell'; the imperative κάθου μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ ('stay with me') offers Abiathar refuge — the same verb Saul used negatively (κάθητο, v. 6; cf. Gad's μὴ κάθου, v. 5), here a word of welcome.

μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).

ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; it serves as genitive object of μετά.

μὴnotnegative particle (with prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the negative of command; with φοβοῦ forms the reassurance 'do not fear.'

φοβοῦfearPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · φοβέομαιmain verb (prohibition: reassurance)→ verbal action or stateφοβέομαι: 'fear / be afraid'; μὴ φοβοῦ ('do not fear') is the classic formula of reassurance (cf. Gen 15:1; Isa 41:10), here from David to the bereaved priest.

ὅτιforcausal conjunction (ground of reassurance)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'for / because'; gives the ground for the 'do not fear.'

οὗwhererelative adverb of place (with ἐάν: 'wherever')→ participant referenceοὗ: relative adverb 'where'; with ἐάν, 'wherever'; introduces the place-clause of David's pledge.

ἐὰνeverconditional particle (generalizing the relative: 'wherever')→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: conditional 'if / ever'; with οὗ generalizes to 'wherever', taking the subjunctive ζητῶ.

ζητῶI seekPres Act Subj 1 Sg · ζητέωverb of the indefinite relative clause (subjunctive)→ verbal action or stateζητέω: 'seek / look for'; renders בִּקֵּשׁ; the present subjunctive in the indefinite clause — 'wherever I seek (a place of safety).'

τῇthe / forDativearticle (with ψυχῇ, dative of advantage)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ψυχῇlife / soulDativedative of advantage (a place for my life)→ sphere or referenceψυχή: 'life / soul / self'; here 'for my life' = for my safety; David binds Abiathar's security to his own.

τόπονplaceAccusativedirect object of ζητῶ / ζητήσω (a place of safety)→ object specificationτόπος: 'place / refuge'; renders מָקוֹם; a place of safety — David, himself a fugitive, will share whatever refuge he finds.

ζητήσωI will seekFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ζητέωmain verb of the apodosis (David's pledge)→ verbal action or stateζητέω: 'seek'; the future ζητήσω in the main clause pledges that David will seek safety for Abiathar's life as for his own.

καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive: 'also for your life')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here ascensive, 'also / even'; extends David's quest for safety to Abiathar.

τῇthe / forDativearticle (with ψυχῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ψυχῇlife / soulDativedative of advantage (for your life too)→ sphere or referenceψυχή: 'life'; Abiathar's life, now joined to David's safekeeping.

ὅτιforcausal conjunction (final ground of assurance)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'for'; gives the concluding assurance of safety.

πεφύλαξαιyou are kept safePerf Mid Indic 2 Sg · φυλάσσωmain verb (assurance of protection)→ verbal action or stateφυλάσσω (perf. mid./pass. πεφύλαξαι): 'guard / keep / protect'; the perfect 'you are (kept) safe / under guard' assures Abiathar of an abiding, secure protection with David — renders שָׁמוּר / נִשְׁמַרְתָּ.

σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic, with πεφύλαξαι)→ participant referenceσύ: the emphatic pronoun closes the assurance — 'you (yourself) are safe.'

παρ᾿with / besidepreposition + dative (in someone's keeping)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + dat.: 'with / beside / in the care of'; Abiathar is safe 'with me' — under David's protection, just as David sought for his own parents (v. 3).

ἐμοίmeDativedative object of παρά (David as protector)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. ἐμοί): David, in whose keeping Abiathar finds refuge — the chapter closes with the priesthood sheltered under the future king.

The First Book of Kingdoms, Chapter 22ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΩΝ Α′ ΚΒ′

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Translation & textual notes